The blood product albumin is most appropriate for a client with which condition?

• A. Severe dehydration
• B. Hypercoagulable state
• C. Deficiency of iron
• D. Deficiency of plasma protein

Answer: (B)

Albumin behaves as a plasma volume expander because it increases oncotic pressure in the vessels, pulling fluid from the interstitial space back into the bloodstream. This makes it particularly useful when there is a deficiency of plasma protein, such as hypoalbuminemia, since replacing the missing protein helps restore intravascular volume and improve circulating blood volume. It also helps reduce edema caused by low oncotic pressure.

It isn’t the first choice for treating iron deficiency or for dehydration in general (crystalloid solutions like saline or lactated Ringer’s are typically used initially). A hypercoagulable state isn’t addressed by albumin infusion, since that condition involves increased clotting risk rather than a lack of plasma protein. So the indication that best fits albumin’s action is a deficiency of plasma protein, where replacing the missing protein directly addresses the underlying imbalance.